SHAD 2016 by the numbers

Thursday, December 15, 2016

2016 was a tough year. Many icons passed away and the news seemed to suggest the world was spinning out of control. But working at SHAD you see 15,500 reasons to remain hopeful for the future. Here’s a review of 2016 for SHAD by the numbers.

For the third straight year, a record number of youth applied to be part of the program and to join our network of change makers.

We had about 1,900 applications, close to a 30 per cent increase in youth looking to join the program to reach their potential.

2 new Rhodes Scholars for SHAD.

That makes 32 SHADs who have gone on to receive Rhodes Scholarships -- almost one for every year SHAD has been in existence. That’ a pretty phenomenal track record. This year’s Rhodes Scholars say SHAD had a direct impact on them developing confidence in their abilities and is one the keys to why they are now making an impact on the world around them. More on this story coming soon.

We’ll soon celebrate our many success stories including our top 16 stories for 2016. If you are a SHAD alum or Fellow, make sure to vote.

The Federal government has recognized that students who specialize in STEM or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) will fuel the new economy. We are happy to see how the government has said it will make innovation a key part of its budget in the New Year. And SHAD reaches students at a critical age while they are still in high school and helps them develop an entrepreneurial and innovation mindset. In fact in 2016, third parties recognized SHAD for its contribution to Canada and for developing Canada’s competitiveness by coaching exceptional high school students to reach their potential as leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.

60 per cent of SHAD participants for the past three years have been females helping breakdown any gender barriers.

SHAD now has 15,500 alumni striving to make a better place

With the addition of a 13th host campus at Ryerson University in 2017, 750 students will participate in the program in 2017. That’s another record! As we enter 2017 and an era of rapid change or disruptions, we’ll have 750 more SHADs who can lead the way.